Game #25- MVC #14 - Belmont in the ARC - Hall of Fame Game

[talksalot]

We are inviting everyone back... Raitis will have a following for sure...

We are Lifetime 9-5 against the bruins, but we are 0-3 when playing them as an MVC opponent.

We all remember the December game... started like a few others...

Belmont started the game red hot from 3-point territory, hitting three 3-pointers over the game's first 90 seconds to jump out to an immediate 9-0 lead on Saturday afternoon at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tenn. The Valparaiso University men's basketball team went toe-to-toe the rest of the way in a road Missouri Valley Conference contest, matching the Bruins 68-68 over the game's final 38:30 of a 77-68 setback. Isaiah Stafford (Bolingbrook, Ill. / Crispus Attucks [John A. Logan / Southern Indiana]) poured in a game-high 21 points, while Cooper Schwieger (Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley Southwest [Link Year]) tallied up a career-high 18.

The Beacons never went away, but they never got over the hump either. Six was the closest they would get in a game that eventually saw the Bruins prevail by nine.

Belmont is 6-7 in the Valley...tied with Evansville, Murray State and Missouri State.... one game behind SIU and UNI; one game ahead of Illinois State.

Belmont has LOST 6 road games in a row.  They are 8-0 vs. Q4 opponents this season.  They beat Murray State in the Old OVC matchup on Wednesday 69-64.

Here's the Belmont Preview of the game.  OK... Put your coaching hat on.  Who Ya Gonna Double Team?

Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Saturday at Valparaiso.

The Bruins limited Murray State to 36 percent shooting and forced 12 turnovers in earning a 69-64 victory Feb. 7.

Belmont ranks 42nd nationally in effective field goal percentage and leads the Missouri Valley Conference in steals per game.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie had a career-high 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals vs. Murray State. The Greeneville, Tennessee native ranks among league leaders in scoring, assists and steals. He tied the Curb Event Center record with seven steals vs. Berry.

Gillespie is the only player in college basketball averaging at least 16 points, four assists and 2.5 steals per game.

Cade Tyson has 18 double figure scoring games this season and ranks second in the MVC in 3-point field goal percentage in league games. Tyson ranks among league leaders in scoring, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and 3-point field goals.

The Monroe, North Carolina native scored a career-high 31 points Dec. 16 and had a career-high three blocked shots vs. UIC. Tyson is on pace to threaten Nick Muszynski's program standard for fewest games played to 1,000 career points.

Malik Dia has recorded 19 consecutive double figure scoring games, including 22 points, five rebounds and five assists vs. [rv/rv] Indiana State. The 6-9 forward scored a career-high 32 points vs. Drake. He posted his second career double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds vs. Arkansas State.

The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native ranks Top 3 in the MVC in points, field goals and free throw rate. Dia is averaging 17.5 points per game this season.

In fact, Gillespie, Tyson and Dia comprise a trio that places Belmont as the only NCAA Division I program with three players averaging at least 16 points per game.

Jayce Willingham has provided versatility and steady play for the Bruins this season. The graduate student from Jasper, Alabama has 10 double figure scoring games including a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds vs. Lafayette. Willingham had 14 points, four rebounds and a season-high four steals vs. UIC. Willingham had a season-high five assists twice this season.

Isaiah Walker had a career-high 13 points vs. Drake and 11 points and five steals vs. Arkansas State. The Wyoming, Ohio native has been a mainstay this season, recording 30-plus minutes in 17 games. Walker had a season-high eight rebounds at Northern Iowa and has multiple assists in 15 games.

Brigham Rogers has made a significant frontcourt contribution as a freshman. The 6-9 forward from Woodstock, Georgia had a season-high nine points vs. Arkansas State. Rogers has provided a physical presence and huge effort plays this season, including a career-high four blocked shots Jan. 23. He is sixth in the MVC in blocked shot rate.

Keishawn Davidson has 67 career double figure scoring games, including a season-high 22 points at Missouri State. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native has a team-high 93 assists this season and ranks second in the MVC in assist-turnover ratio. He is averaging 10.8 points per game on 37 percent 3-point shooting in conference games.

He ranks 14th in career assists (593) among active players NCAA Division I players.

Kyler Vanderjagt has provided perimeter depth for the Bruins this season. The Grand Rapids, Michigan native has scored in 13 games this season, including 28 points during a three-game stretch in November.

Win Miller has seen increased playing time and has scored in six consecutive game appearances. The Birmingham, Alabama native is shooting 70 percent from 2-point field goal range this season and posted a career-high 17 points Nov. 14. He has made a 3-point field goal in three of his last five games.


For this game, as Brandon wrote it up...Fans are encouraged to wear gold as part of Love Valpo weekend, where supporters and alumni celebrate their love of Valpo. Free pom-poms and Love Valpo posters will be available, plus the first 500 fans will receive a free Valpo shoe charm. Part of the department's All-Sports Reunion Weekend, this game will celebrate the Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which features Raitis Grafs '03 (men's basketball), Jon Robisch '64 (men's basketball/baseball), Jordan Rutkowski '12 (softball) and Ozzie Young '96 (football).

Maybe we'll see another Fan Wave... that was pretty cool at the last game.

And, for those not following along on Facebook.  New Student Incentive starts Saturday.   

$1 for every student in the student section goes into a pot.

One student will be chosen at random to take a half-court shot.  If it goes in, they win the pot.  If it doesn't.  the money rolls over. to the next game on Valentine's day against UNI.

Only 3 home games after Saturday...

[mj]

I'll be at the game tomorrow. First time at the ARC in 10 years! Let's go Valpo!

[valpopal]

Belmont    76
Valparaiso 72

[tiny707]

Valpo: 78
Belmont: 70

Jaxon, Ola, Jerome, and Connor all
play major minutes.

[covufan]

After Indiana State, I think Powell will have this team ready. Will it be a full 40 minutes ready?  We'll see

Valpo  77
Belmont 74


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[historyman]

Belmont  74
Valpo  61

[valpopal]

And, for those not following along on Facebook.  New Student Incentive starts Saturday.   

$1 for every student in the student section goes into a pot.

One student will be chosen at random to take a half-court shot.  If it goes in, they win the pot.  If it doesn't.  the money rolls over. to the next game on Valentine's day against UNI.

I like the intentions of this promotion, but I hope the process is flexible or tweaked. If a student chosen at random is a diminutive and less athletic girl or boy (not to be sexist), maybe even physically handicapped, that individual should be permitted some kind of alternative, perhaps allowed to select a designated half-court shooter from among others in the stands with whom they can share the winnings if successful.

[wh]

We are inviting everyone back... Raitis will have a following for sure...

We are Lifetime 9-5 against the bruins, but we are 0-3 when playing them as an MVC opponent.

We all remember the December game... started like a few others...

Belmont started the game red hot from 3-point territory, hitting three 3-pointers over the game's first 90 seconds to jump out to an immediate 9-0 lead on Saturday afternoon at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tenn. The Valparaiso University men's basketball team went toe-to-toe the rest of the way in a road Missouri Valley Conference contest, matching the Bruins 68-68 over the game's final 38:30 of a 77-68 setback. Isaiah Stafford (Bolingbrook, Ill. / Crispus Attucks [John A. Logan / Southern Indiana]) poured in a game-high 21 points, while Cooper Schwieger (Overland Park, Kan. / Blue Valley Southwest [Link Year]) tallied up a career-high 18.

The Beacons never went away, but they never got over the hump either. Six was the closest they would get in a game that eventually saw the Bruins prevail by nine.

Belmont is 6-7 in the Valley...tied with Evansville, Murray State and Missouri State.... one game behind SIU and UNI; one game ahead of Illinois State.

Belmont has LOST 6 road games in a row.  They are 8-0 vs. Q4 opponents this season.  They beat Murray State in the Old OVC matchup on Wednesday 69-64.

Here's the Belmont Preview of the game.  OK... Put your coaching hat on.  Who Ya Gonna Double Team?

Belmont University men's basketball returns to game action Saturday at Valparaiso.

The Bruins limited Murray State to 36 percent shooting and forced 12 turnovers in earning a 69-64 victory Feb. 7.

Belmont ranks 42nd nationally in effective field goal percentage and leads the Missouri Valley Conference in steals per game.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie had a career-high 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals vs. Murray State. The Greeneville, Tennessee native ranks among league leaders in scoring, assists and steals. He tied the Curb Event Center record with seven steals vs. Berry.

Gillespie is the only player in college basketball averaging at least 16 points, four assists and 2.5 steals per game.

Cade Tyson has 18 double figure scoring games this season and ranks second in the MVC in 3-point field goal percentage in league games. Tyson ranks among league leaders in scoring, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and 3-point field goals.

The Monroe, North Carolina native scored a career-high 31 points Dec. 16 and had a career-high three blocked shots vs. UIC. Tyson is on pace to threaten Nick Muszynski's program standard for fewest games played to 1,000 career points.

Malik Dia has recorded 19 consecutive double figure scoring games, including 22 points, five rebounds and five assists vs. [rv/rv] Indiana State. The 6-9 forward scored a career-high 32 points vs. Drake. He posted his second career double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds vs. Arkansas State.

The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native ranks Top 3 in the MVC in points, field goals and free throw rate. Dia is averaging 17.5 points per game this season.

In fact, Gillespie, Tyson and Dia comprise a trio that places Belmont as the only NCAA Division I program with three players averaging at least 16 points per game.

Jayce Willingham has provided versatility and steady play for the Bruins this season. The graduate student from Jasper, Alabama has 10 double figure scoring games including a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds vs. Lafayette. Willingham had 14 points, four rebounds and a season-high four steals vs. UIC. Willingham had a season-high five assists twice this season.

Isaiah Walker had a career-high 13 points vs. Drake and 11 points and five steals vs. Arkansas State. The Wyoming, Ohio native has been a mainstay this season, recording 30-plus minutes in 17 games. Walker had a season-high eight rebounds at Northern Iowa and has multiple assists in 15 games.

Brigham Rogers has made a significant frontcourt contribution as a freshman. The 6-9 forward from Woodstock, Georgia had a season-high nine points vs. Arkansas State. Rogers has provided a physical presence and huge effort plays this season, including a career-high four blocked shots Jan. 23. He is sixth in the MVC in blocked shot rate.

Keishawn Davidson has 67 career double figure scoring games, including a season-high 22 points at Missouri State. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native has a team-high 93 assists this season and ranks second in the MVC in assist-turnover ratio. He is averaging 10.8 points per game on 37 percent 3-point shooting in conference games.

He ranks 14th in career assists (593) among active players NCAA Division I players.

Kyler Vanderjagt has provided perimeter depth for the Bruins this season. The Grand Rapids, Michigan native has scored in 13 games this season, including 28 points during a three-game stretch in November.

Win Miller has seen increased playing time and has scored in six consecutive game appearances. The Birmingham, Alabama native is shooting 70 percent from 2-point field goal range this season and posted a career-high 17 points Nov. 14. He has made a 3-point field goal in three of his last five games.


For this game, as Brandon wrote it up...Fans are encouraged to wear gold as part of Love Valpo weekend, where supporters and alumni celebrate their love of Valpo. Free pom-poms and Love Valpo posters will be available, plus the first 500 fans will receive a free Valpo shoe charm. Part of the department's All-Sports Reunion Weekend, this game will celebrate the Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which features Raitis Grafs '03 (men's basketball), Jon Robisch '64 (men's basketball/baseball), Jordan Rutkowski '12 (softball) and Ozzie Young '96 (football).

Maybe we'll see another Fan Wave... that was pretty cool at the last game.

And, for those not following along on Facebook.  New Student Incentive starts Saturday.   

$1 for every student in the student section goes into a pot.

One student will be chosen at random to take a half-court shot.  If it goes in, they win the pot.  If it doesn't.  the money rolls over. to the next game on Valentine's day against UNI.

Only 3 home games after Saturday...

Outstanding preview.

[historyman]

Unfortunately the 1st half looks to be worse than even I had predicted. I think Belmont will win by 25 to 30.There are some very bad weaknesses on this Valpo team. They must be solved before the Beacons can even come close to winning against good MVC teams like Belmont.

[Chairback]

We are just not big enough.  We get pounded down low and killed on rebounds. 

I still like this team.

Bigs will be here next year.   

[mj]

If you thought things couldn't get worse after Indiana State....

[valpopal]

We are just not big enough.  We get pounded down low and killed on rebounds. 

Maybe, but as of right now at the 4-minute mark left in the first half Valpo is down by 18 points at the 3-point line (8-2). Size has nothing to do with that fact. [Update: At halftime it is a 24-point deficit from the 3-point line (10-2).]

[tiny707]

Are there recruits behind our bench?

[VU2014]

I'm not sure what's going on with the Team the last few games. They are clearly very inexperienced but they should not be getting routed the way they have been by Indiana State and Belmont. They are better than this and significantly underperforming they're their potential.

I'm not expecting them to win, but they should significantly more competitive. The last two games have been embarrassing.

The coaches need to figure this out.

[valpopal]

I called Coach Powell's initial technical foul just a couple minutes before it happened. Thus far, today's first-half performance tested the limit to how much even the composed coach or the team's most understanding fans are willing to endure or tolerate in the name of patience.

[tiny707]

Fun, Fast and Free is not working...

[VU2014]

Fun, Fast and Free is working...

No matter the style. If you don't have the talent to compete, no system will work when there is a talent gap.

The coaches had to cobble a roster together quickly. There is talent on the Team, but most of it is young. It sounds harsh but there are guys on the roster who do not belong on any MVC roster (Barrett, Palm, Sciarroni all have scholarships that are eating up scholarships). Additionally, Scroggins (high upside red shirt) and Manyang (medical red shirt), all are not contributing this this season. A short bench...

Barrett and Palm can not be on this roster next season as they are dragging down this Team with their lack of ability to play at this level. Both guys will graduate and Valpo needs to part ways at the end of the season and not allow them to use their final year of eligibility on this roster. They need those scholarships for players that can actually help the Team. The coaches are within their right not grant them the final year of eligibility for college graduates who won't help the Team

[JD24]

Roger Powell needs dogs and he's got a roster full of cats.

[AB]

Becoming very difficult to watch. Belmont could not miss in the beginning and we have no muscle/size in the paint. Team seems hung over from Evansville game, but yes inexperience, and needing more talent in particular in the paint for defense etc. Schweiger will hit the weight room, but he's gotten abused on defense most of the year, allowing the opponent to get to their spot. Palm and Barrett prolly won't be around, but the guy if confident is prolly the best three point shooter on the team. At this point, Season is a lost cause anyway, let him play more and see if he can regain that lethal shooting. Nothing to loose.

Which one of the four has the highest upside? Weatherspoon, Edwards, Sepp, Ajiboye? Will all four be back next year?

[justducky]

Becoming very difficult to watch.

We played hard, turned the ball over infrequently and still got smoked. Belmont opened on a couldn't miss roll and never slowed down enough to let us back in the game. Ours kids desperately wanted back in this game but Belmont didn't allow it to happen. I'm giving a tip of my cap to coach Casey Alexander and his Bruins.

Which one of the four has the highest upside? Weatherspoon, Edwards, Sepp, Ajiboye? Will all four be back next year?

I'd say that their upside potential goes in the same order as your listing of Weatherspoon, Edwards, Sepp and Ajiboye. Each has various aspects of their game that will see improvements. I want all 4 of them back next year even if our other additions mean they will return to static or reduced playing time opportunities.

[talksalot]

$1 for every student in the student section goes into a pot.

One student will be chosen at random to take a half-court shot.  If it goes in, they win the pot.  If it doesn't.  the money rolls over. to the next game on Valentine's day against UNI.

$172 in the pot, carryover to the UNI game on Valentines' Day...

[valpotx]

I put it in the VU Record Watch category, but it is worth mentioning here, as well.  We just officially clinched our first below .500 record at home since the 1991-1992 season.  That is 32 straight seasons of success at home, even during several off years.  That was probably our last tie to our successful teams of the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. 

[JD24]

We played hard

I don't agree with this at all and I'm not sure Roger Powell agrees with this at all. A team that plays hard does not come out and not defend a shooter who they've been schooled to not let free as the collection of do nothings on the team did out of the gate today. Making the score somewhat palatable is not playing hard.

What this team needs is at least one head knocker. Somebody who, if this game was occurring on his watch, would lay the wood to a few guys whether whistled or not. This team has no one like this at all.

[tiny707]

Agree JD24: John Kiser, Draymond Green, Dennis Rodman get after it type player...

[talksalot]

omebody who, if this game was occurring on his watch, would lay the wood to a few guys whether whistled or not.

Oh Come on... someone has to add Phil Wille to this list...